This volume describes both the history and the contemporary forms, functions, and status of English in Southeast Asia. The chapters provide a comprehensive overview of current research on a wide range of topics, addressing the impact of English as a language of globalization and exploring new approaches to the spread of English in the region.

"The accompanying CD-ROM contains interactive maps and speech samples that supplement the printed articles and offer material and data for further research."--Book cover.

The lingua franca role of English, coupled with its status as the official language of ASEAN, has important implications for language policy nd language education. These include the relationship between English, the respective national languages of ASEAN and thousands of local languages. How can the demand for English be balanced against the need for people to acquire their natural language and mother tongue? While many will also need a regional lingua franca, they are learning English as the first foreign language from primary school in all ASEAN countries. Might not this early introduction of English threaten local languages and children's ability to learn? Or can English be introduced and taught in such a way that it can complement local languages rather than replace them? The aim of this book is to explore questions such as these and then make recommendations on language policy and language education for regional policymakers. The book will be important for regional policymakers and language education professionals. It should also benefit language teachers, especially, but by no means exclusively, English language teachers. The book will be of interest to all who are interested in the development of English as an international language and the possible implications of this upon local languages and cultures.

Reflects the interests and themes of the annual Conferences on English in Southeast Asia held since 1996 among participating universities from nine countries: Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Philippines, Australia, Hong Kong, Thailand Indonesia and New Zealand. This book covers topics which have been consistently discussed at these conferences

The Oxford Book of Australian Women's Verse is the first anthology to offer a full record of Australian women's poetry from European settlement to the present. The anthology moves from Fidelia Hill's recollections of her arrival in Adelaide to the radical nationalist verse of the 1890s and, finally, to the abundant verse of the last three decades. It collects the diverse voices of 88 women, including some newly arrived from Europe and representatives of the oldest traditions of the land.